The Aerospace & Defense PLM Action Group (AD PAG) researching the Obsolescence Management “pain point” identified areas where data generated by advanced CAD capabilities is difficult to access and use in downstream solutions. The Group reported on the mitigating impact of standards on the complexity of integrations and other means used to facilitate CAD data exchange for consumption by downstream applications. The AD PAG’s goal is to develop a direction statement for the A&D industry to use to influence solution providers, their supply chains, and standards bodies, regarding the interrelated subjects of advanced features imbedded in native data structures, standard data formats for storage and exchange, and numerous and complex integrations. The directives are expected to be clear, to the point, and sufficiently supported to merit serious consideration and action, leading to improved process flow and a reduction of factors contributing to cost and risk of data loss.